my large loving family has descended and gone. they rather monopolized the weekend while they were here, constraining talk to the small variety. i must've been asked 14 times if i'd seen the wedding movies, monsoon or my big fat greek. sadly no. i'll get right on it.
my favorite quote came from my cousin e., a film major recent college grad, who's embarking on a film career. he's already written a couple full-length screenplays and is working on his next. after i answered a cursory question of his about my pet project, he cut me off. "listen," he said, "you're brilliant. i'm brilliant." and went on to expound about why he thinks he's going to make it in the Industry. i couldn't help grinning. you're brilliant, i'm brilliant -- that could be this generation's i'm okay, you're okay.

he has confidence. perhaps that's what convinces my hoardes of relatives to take him seriously when he discusses pitching and contacts and working his way up from across the country. they nod; i follow cautiously behind him, like an anthropologist taking notes, because i might be doing this myself in a couple years. generically, even if i don't pursue film, like him -- and like his mother, whose career as a full-time mom is coming to a pretty concrete close as the twins are heading to college in the fall -- perhaps i should have a speech prepared to give people who ask, "what are you going to do now?"

i can answer what i'm doing now much more easily. two things compulsively: scrabble and sex and the city. four games and five episodes in the last few days. oh wait, shit, make that nine episodes? what can i say, i've been with liz.
and i'm almost finished with drive. if what e. advises is true and you should never exceed 110 pgs, i only have 20 to go.